Stylists who choose to own their own businesses at MY SALON Suite have the complete freedom to decorate their suite, choose the services they provide, set their prices, sell what products they like, and create their own schedule. This makes it possible for stylists to express their creativity and perfect their craft, therefore making them forerunners in contests such as the One Shot Awards hosted by Behind the Chair. The #OneShot Awards is the most prestigious hair and beauty competition in the world. This year seven Suite Elite Members at MY SALON Suite were nominated for the annual One Shot Awards with one of our members winning the Suite Decor category. We asked these members about their experiences and this is what they had to say:
Melissa Sawers – @WickedHairWitch – MY SALON Suite Fort Lauderdale – Hot Shot Suite Decor WINNER
Q: Tell us about yourself, your brand, and what you specialize in?
A: I am South Florida’s hair witch, known as Wicked Hair Witch. My love for color, transformations, & magic are all intertwined within my space to help me invoke artistic energy. From Blonding to Vivids , Color Corrections to Embracing the Grey, my passion & specialty is color.
Q: What does winning this award mean to you?
A: I am so proud to say I won! This award is so incredibly special to me. It means validation, that being your authentic self and expressing that in everything you do is a beautiful thing. I’ve poured my love into my space and my goal was always to invoke creativity amongst my surroundings with my art and I feel like I have accomplished that.
Q: Did you attend the awards?
A: I did attend the awards and it was such a life changing experience. To be amongst so many incredible, talented artists that are all in the same room to celebrate our love and passion for what we do, it’s an incredible feeling and I’m so grateful to have experienced this. I left that evening inspired by so many amazing people.
Q: What motivates you?
A: The biggest motivation are my clients & family. Seeing my clients so happy & confident in their hair is what motivates me to be the best I can. Being able to provide for my family is a true blessing and so motivating.
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: Definitely! I’m so grateful to work amongst so many talented and kind artists, and it’s actually pretty incredible one of my suite neighbors I’ve known since beauty school and it’s so amazing seeing how far we’ve come since then.
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: I am so grateful to be at MY SALON Suite where I was able to make my space my own, and in turn this I feel helped me gain this award as I was able to decorate the space to fit me & my brand.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: If you’ve thought about going to this show but weren’t sure, do it. If you’ve thought about entering something but haven’t, do it. Always put yourself out there because you never know what can be waiting for you.
Alyssa Salmon – @thehairwaytoheaven – MY SALON Suite Smithtown – HOT SHOT TOP 100 BLONDES SHOT – HOT SHOT TOP 100 EXTENSIONS SHOT – HOT SHOT TOP 100 EDUCATIONAL POST – HOT SHOT TOP 100 REDS SHOT – HOT SHOT TOP 200 BALAYAGE SHOT
Q: Tell us about yourself, your brand, and what you specialize in?
A: I’m 24 years old and have been doing hair since I was 16. I opened my own salon suite (The Hairway to Heaven) a little over a year ago at the Smithtown, NY MY SALON Suite location. I specialize in blondes and balayage.
Q: What does this nomination mean to you?
A: I was honored to be nominated. It was a goal of mine to be nominated within the next ten years of my career. It was really rewarding to see my name up there.
Q: Did you attend the awards?
A: I did attend the awards. It was amazing and emotional. I loved hearing the speeches and seeing the faces behind the photos.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Mary, the owner of Behind The Chair, inspires me daily. Her story of how she created such an incredible platform for artists amazes me.
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: Yes!! I love my MY SALON Suite family. They have been nothing but supportive and excited for me. We even went to the BTC show together.
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: Having my own suite has helped me grow as a stylist. I think it helped give me more creative freedom so I do believe it helped me get nominated.
Doreen Donlon – @3d.hair_design – MY SALON Suite Richboro – Hot Shot Top 100 Suite Decor
Q: Tell us about yourself, your brand, and what you specialize in?
A: My name is Doreen Donlon and I am the owner of 3D Hair Design LLC here at MY SALON Suite Richboro. My middle initial is D as well as my 1st and last name and that’s where 3D derives from. I am all about my clients having a stand out experience when in my chair and at 3D hair Design I make that happen with superb customer service and client relationships, as well as quality work that I am extremely proud of. “Everything looks better in 3D”. I specialize in Balayage , Color, and Formal Occasion Hair.
Q: What does this nomination mean to you?
A: This nomination is extremely special to me. Since I was a teenager I knew I wanted to not only be a stylist but own my own Salon someday. When I discovered MY SALON Suite it was just like a match made in heaven. It was the perfect outlet to make my dreams a reality and some may say that it’s just an award for suite decor but my salon is something that I worked so very hard for and continue to work hard for and it is my happy place and receiving the top 100 nomination was just validation of all that hard work and that I have pretty good taste in suite decor. Designing my suite was one of the greatest perks because I got to express myself and my brand through my decor.
Q: What motivates you?
A: What motivates me the most is seeing smiles in my chair. When someone puts their trust in you to give them more self-confidence or to turn a bad day into a good day just by visiting you at your salon it really makes you feel so good inside when that person is just so happy and cannot stop looking in the mirror.
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: The community and the friendships I’ve made at MY SALON Suite are incredible. Everyone supports one another and cheers for one another.
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: MY SALON Suite has helped me tremendously get to where I am today. I have gained so many new clients and followers through being a small business owner and just the resources like the MY SALON Suite website and the events that are held at my location really draw in new clientele. My existing clientele love the whole idea and concept and are so supportive of my small business. Without my beautiful Suite, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the suite Decor category. I’ve worked really hard and because I did I was able to enter my suite.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add/say?
A: I just want to thank my family, my clients who without I would not be where I am today and everyone at MY SALON Suite for everything they do for our community and especially my landlord John Cowan for just being as humble and kind as he is. Thank you.
Jennifer Leigh – @estilobyjenniferleigh – MY SALON Suite Hamilton Square – Hot Shot Top 100 Suite Decor
Q: Tell us about yourself, your brand, and what you specialize in?
A: Estilo is a luxurious salon where you get a one-on-one experience to not only look and feel good, but also speak freely of what’s on your mind, with no judgment & knowing you’re secret-safe. Estilo encompasses bits of myself that include passion, fun, and a touch of my family’s Filipino culture. Sky’s the limit! Straight hair, color, curls, if it’s hair-related—I’m your girl!
Q: What does this nomination mean to you?
A: Feeling honored is an understatement. Estilo showcases all my hard work and the vision of my dream salon that my friend was able to make a reality. Being recognized by Behind the Chair as one of the top 100 suites in the Nation, still sounds and feels like a fantasy! All the blood, sweat, and tears surely paid off.
Q: What motivates you?
A: My family, they are my world. They motivate me to be the best version of myself, both personally and professionally.
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: Yes! I could not have asked for a better group of Suite Mates. Everyone is kind, respectful, helps one another out, and we cheer for each other to succeed. I am also fortunate and grateful for our franchise owner, Joe Carretta. He has been a huge support. Anytime I need something he is there, no questions asked! I really lucked out!
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: Today, I am a salon owner and can say that I am “The Boss”. This dream would not be possible without MY SALON Suite. The freedom of doing things on my own terms as a business owner and stylist, is priceless. Having the ability to give clients individualized and undivided attention during their personal session allows me to build a rapport with them that I would not be able to elsewhere.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add/say?
A: Owning a salon is no easy feat, but it is well worth it. Having a business at MY SALON is Sweet —pun intended 🙂
Jes Caldwell – @jc.hair.studio – MY SALON Suite Warrington – Hot Shot Top 100 Suite Decor
Q: Tell us about yourself, you’r brand, and what you specialize in?
A: My name is Jes Caldwell and I’ve been in the industry for about 10 years and now specialize in coloring services.
Q: What does this nomination mean to you?
A: My suite was selected in the top 100 for Suite Decor! My suite is my pride and joy so to be nominated meant a lot to me!
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: At MY SALON Suite in Warrington we are truly like a family. Everyone is always lifting each other up and inspiring one another. I’ve never met a group of girls that vibe like we do and I doubt I’d ever find that again. Being a part of this team has changed my life and even with a baby on the way, I will never ever leave my suite!!
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: Opening MY SALON Suite was easily one of the best decisions of my life! It’s so important to me to provide a safe and fun place for my guests to unwind in, which is exactly what MY SALON Suite allows us to do.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add/say?
A: Sometimes I still need somebody to pinch me because I can’t believe I get to work in a place of my own everyday. Thankful for this career move everyday, and I can’t wait to keep growing as a business owner and as a colorist!
Kristen Roumanis – @kristen.roumanis – MY SALON Suite West Cary – Hot Shot Top 100 Suite Decor
Q: Tell us about yourself, your brand, and what you specialize in?
A: My name is Kristen Roumanis and I have been in the industry since 2014 and I am a Color Specialist & HaloCouture Hair Extension Artist. I specialize in creating customized dimensional color blends for the most seamless, natural-looking, healthy and low-maintenance color results that allow you to go longer in-between maintenance appointments | I also Offer damage-free, no maintenance, 100% real human hair, luxury hair extensions | & Brazilian Blowout frizz-smoothing keratin treatments.
Q: What does this nomination mean to you?
A: It was an honor to be nominated as this is my first studio and first time out on my own as an Independent artist so to have people reassure me that they find my work space beautiful and welcoming makes me happy and proud and motivates me to be even better and create an even more elevated environment and guest experience for my clients.
Q: What motivates you?
A: My partner and my dog motivate me the most to help me work hard to create a life that makes us happy.
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: I appreciate and respect all of my suite neighbors. Everyone is friendly, supportive and helpful so it’s a great built in support system of people going through a similar work experience as myself.
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: I love my own space and the freedom to offer the services and schedule and everything I want .
Marina Sellecchia – @colorbymarina – MY SALON Suite Warrington – Hot Shot Top 100 Suite Decor – Hot Shot Top 25 Brunettes Shot -Hot Shot Top 100 Heat Styling Shot – Hot Shot Top 100 Balayage – Hot Shot Top 25 Blondes Shot – Hot Shot Top 100 Collaboration Shot – Hot Shot Top 100 Color Transformation Shot – Hot Shot Top 100 Educational Post – Hot Shot Top 100 Color Video
Q: Tell us about yourself, your brand, and what you specialize in?
A: My name is Marina Sellecchia. I own my own business called Color by Marina, I’m a Truss Professional brand specialist and a member of the BTC team. I specialize in balayage and lived in color.
Q: What does this nomination mean to you?
A: It is such an honor to be nominated in the biggest hair awards in the world. Having my work chosen among over 300,000 entries total means the world to me!
Q: Did you attend the awards?
A: Yes this was my 3rd time attending and it was amazing as always, but even more exciting this time because I got to work with my Truss team to present their main stage show.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Working hard to make my kids proud of their mom and to teach them to chase their dreams and never give up.
Q: Do you have friendships at MY SALON Suite that make you feel supported?
A: So many! At the Warrington MY SALON Suite location we are truly like a family and I’m so blessed to have each and every one of them in my life.
Q: Has MY SALON Suite helped you get to where you are today?
A: Being here and being able to create a business and brand on my terms has absolutely helped me on my journey to success. Working in my suite has given me the freedom to create a brand and focus on the type of hair I love doing most, without being judged by anyone. I’ve been in my suite for 2 years now and I’ve now been nominated 2 years in a row.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: To anyone who’s thinking of opening their own suite.. I know it’s so scary but take the leap of faith and do it. Success doesn’t come from being comfortable.
If you did not know about these awards before, the ‘Behind The Chair’ hosts the #ONESHOT Hair Awards every year. It is the world’s largest and most prestigious hair competition and runs entirely on Instagram. In just 7 years, Behind The Chair has received more than 1.4 million entries from 80 countries. This year, BTC’s Founder, Mary Rectore, and BTC’s Social Media Director, Kevin Givens, chose finalists from 46 categories. The awards celebrate the work of hairdressers, makeup artists, nail technicians and more across the world.
In order to enter, artists must tag Behind The Chair, One Shot Awards, and use the appropriate hashtag for the category they wish to enter. Finalists are then chosen and released leading up to the BTC’s award show where artists can attend and meet fellow industry professionals.We are so proud of all of our Suite Elite Members who were nominated in the #ONESHOT Awards! We encourage all of our Suite Elite Members to participate next year! If we missed any members who were nominated or won, please reach out to us so we can celebrate you and your work!